Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2019 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we look at Russian defenceman Daniil Misyul.
Daniil Misyul got his first taste of KHL action this year appearing in three games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and picking up an assist. He also appeared in six playoff games, picking up his first KHL goal. It was enough to see him named the KHL Rookie of the Week for the quarterfinals and KHL Rookie of the Month for March. He also played in 46 games for MHL club Loko Yaroslavl putting up four goals and ten points. Misyul was steady in the playoffs, playing 10 games and winning his second straight MHL title. He also added one goal and three points in five games at the Junior Club World Cup.
Born in Belarus, Misyul has long been a part of Russian national teams in his age group. He was part of the World Junior A Championship team last winter, picking up one assist in four games. He also played at the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championships, picking up one goal in five games. Misyul also played in six games at the 2017 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, winning a bronze medal.
Daniil Misyul Scouting Report
Defence — Shoots Left
Born October 20th, 2000 — Minsk, Belarus
Height 6’3″ — Weight 176 lbs [190 cm / 80 kg]
Skating
Misyul is an excellent skater. His stride is smooth and looks effortless. It allows him to develop very good speed in both directions and to cover a lot of ice. He also skates backwards very well. Misyul shows a strong first step and excellent acceleration. When you add in very good edgework and crisp pivots, Misyul is able to transition quickly from offence to defence and vice-versa. Misyul can stand to add more muscle to his frame going forward. Even as a relatively skinny player, he shows good leverage and power in winning battles along the boards and clearing the front of the net.
Offensive Game
Misyul is very good at moving the puck up the ice. His stickhandling is strong. When paired with his excellent skating ability, Misyul is able to retrieve pucks in his own end, avoid forecheckers and move the puck up the ice. He can generate speed through the neutral zone and creates effective zone entries at the opponent’s blueline. Misyul loves to join the rush and can play as a trailer where he lets off a wrist shot with a quick release. He also likes to pinch in from the line and create chances closer to the net.
Misyul is not the most creative passer. He does not take a lot chances, instead choosing to keep the puck moving to his talented teammates and putting on pressure in the offensive zone with pinches. When he gets the puck, Misyul moves it quickly, headmanning it up the ice with a short pass to an opposing forward.
Defensive Game
Misyul has been a regular penalty killer for Loko Yaroslavl. He is willing to put his body on the line, getting in the way to block shots. He also uses his long stick to force opposing attackers to the boards, and away from high danger areas. His stick is also good at intercepting passes and starting the transition game. Misyul could use a bit more work though on defending one-on-one against the rush. Particularly quick and agile forwards get in on him quickly and he can have trouble adapting. He was a forward throughout most of his minor hockey but switched to defence when he joined the USNTDP.
Projection and Comparison
Misyul has the skating and size to play big minutes in the NHL. He has shown great improvement despite facing some injury issues. However, there is still room to grow, especially with containing forwards on the rush. If a team is willing to work with him, they could find a diamond in the rough. Misyul’s game is reminiscent of Mattias Ekholm, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Daniil Misyul that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA MARCH 21, 2019: HC SKA St Petersburg’s Alexei Byvaltsev (C) and HC Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s Daniil Misyul (R) in action in Leg 5 of their 2018-19 KHL Western Conference semi-final playoff tie, at the Ledovy Dvorets arena. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander DemianchukTASS via Getty Images)
